Stirring Conflict in the Shadows
Currently, Seoul's underworld was being carved up by Zhang Wei of China dominating Gangbuk and the Yamamoto expedition from Japan expanding around Gangnam.
Thanks to having driven out Jeong Soo-ah, the former Black Market boss, early on, both sides had expanded their influence with little resistance.
In the underworld, where raw power was all that mattered, no one had the strength to stand against these SA-rank hunters leading their groups.
The Hunter Association or government might step in, but by principle, they never interfered in underworld affairs.
Besides, with the underworld holding dirt on several high-ranking officials, neither the Association nor the government would take the initiative.
By now, quite some time after Zhang Wei and the Yamamoto expedition had begun their full-scale operations, all the established local factions had already submitted to them.
The few still resisting were so insignificant that it was obvious they'd be swiftly crushed by both sides soon enough.
As things progressed this way, the goals of Zhang Wei and the Yamamoto expedition began to shift slightly.
With no more territory left to claim, they finally turned their eyes toward each other.
Having entered Korea with the same objective, it was time for a true clash of power over their original purpose.
Nix issued Toda several orders, including gathering intelligence—and a few rather dangerous ones.
Toda didn't mind.
Having become Nix's faithful slave through mental domination, Toda carried out his master's commands with utmost diligence.
Even if it meant killing his former comrades.
"Guh...! Toda Shuiichi...! You bastard...! Aren't you afraid of the Yamamoto brothers?!"
Toda didn't flinch at his old comrade's furious cry.
He calmly flicked the blood from his blade and glanced toward the back with a nod.
Three hunters standing there like lifeless dolls sprang into motion.
"Damn it, Sato, Suzuki! And even Watanabe! I never thought you'd betray us too...!"
Toda and the other three hunters showed no reaction to their old comrade's renewed shout.
They simply carried out their assigned tasks.
"Kuhk...!"
With a short, guttural death rattle, the now-headless body slumped.
Thud—roll—
Toda stared impassively at the head that rolled to his feet, then crouched down before it.
"Sorry about this, Mayadi-san. But it's something I have to do, you know? I don't want to get scolded by Master. I'm not really sorry now, but anyway—sorry."
May you find enlightenment in the Western Paradise.
Toda bowed his head, pressed his palms together in prayer, then slowly rose.
Scanning the blood-soaked mess around him with a blank expression, he turned to the three doll-like hunters.
"Then, clean this up, please. I'm off to report to Master."
With a voice that almost sounded cheerful, Toda quietly departed.
The remaining three hunters silently began the cleanup.
That night, several Japanese hunters patrolling their assigned districts vanished without a trace.
The number wasn't large, but for the Yamamoto expedition—bracing for conflict with the Chinese—it was an issue they couldn't ignore.
The news quickly reached the upper echelons, enraging the Yamamoto brothers.
While lazing around playing with Suli and the kids, Nix received word from Toda.
The orders had been carried out successfully.
It had been fairly risky, but he'd handled it without issue.
Nix had figured he might need to recruit new underlings depending on how it went, but it seemed unnecessary.
That was a relief.
His subordinate seemed competent, which was pleasing.
However, Toda—the one he deemed competent—was in slightly poor shape.
Killing several old comrades in a single night had taken its toll.
Mental domination made him obey, but his core self and personality remained intact, so the shock was real.
In the underworld, this is commonplace... or is it not?
Maybe Toda's just special?
He wasn't broken enough to discard yet, but left like this, this rare competent subordinate might shatter.
Should I give his mind a little tweak?
After brief consideration, Nix decided to observe a bit longer.
Mental manipulation was trickier than expected.
The left head would handle it, but that made it even riskier.
The usual left head might pretend it was a mistake and shatter Toda's mind entirely.
Then act like nothing happened while scouting for replacements.
She vehemently denied it, but Nix couldn't fully trust her.
Above all, there was still some leeway, so watching a little more wouldn't hurt.
Worst case, recruit anew.
Among the info Toda had provided earlier was intel on the Yamamoto brothers.
Publicly known as close twin brothers, their true nature was entirely different.
They despised each other to the core.
Not quite enemies, but each saw the other as a thorn in their side.
A bit different from typical twins, perhaps?
With two bosses in one group, it was almost inevitable.
Thus, the Yamamoto expedition was split into two factions.
The hardliners centered on the elder brother, Kazuma Yamamoto, and the moderates following the younger, Kazuki.
According to Toda in the hardliner faction, the upper ranks were in quite an uproar over this incident.
Hardliners assumed it was the Chinese and demanded immediate retaliation; moderates called for thorough investigation and caution.
Naturally, the clash between factions escalated sharply, reaching even Toda's ears as the brothers openly clashed.
This is getting interesting.
Nix had issued the order lightly upon hearing of their rift, but it yielded unexpected results.
Credit to the unexpectedly capable Toda.
If only his rank were a bit higher.
But expecting that much is greedy.
Just hope he stays useful under me without breaking for as long as possible.
"Toda. Here's your next order."
"Ahh, my beloved Master! Command me in anything! This Toda Shuiichi will stake his life to ensure...!"
Nix flinched inwardly at the fanatical response but kept a straight face.
"...Touching just one side won't do. I want to see their reaction too—provoke the Chinese."
"Yes, understood! Even if it means burning this body to ash, whatever Master desires...!"
"...No need to hold back on methods. Get the hot-headed Zhang Wei to move first. You can sacrifice all the puppets if needed. Create a situation where the Yamamoto expedition has no choice but to fight."
"...Yes, understood. All as you wish, Master."
Toda bowed deeply and withdrew quietly.
Watching Toda hurry away, Nix let out a soft chuckle.
"He seems fine for now."
He'd tested by mentioning the puppets, and the reaction suggested he was holding up.
A slight hesitation, but not on the verge of breaking.
Just in case, the waiting left head clicked her tongue in disappointment.
[I was hoping to shatter him completely...]
Hey. Toda's a capable subordinate.
Can't break him that easily.
Do you think good minions like him grow on trees?
[You've got Jeong Soo-ah and Na Yeon-seong, you idiot—!]
Of course those two existed, but they were different from Toda.
The difference between disposable and not.
Well, in true emergencies, even Jeong Soo-ah or Na Yeon-seong could be expendable, so maybe no real difference.
If push came to shove, protect Suli and the family first.
Before that, Toda, Jeong Soo-ah, Na Yeon-seong—all mere pawns to sacrifice.
[Acting all soft but you're ruthless! Love it, idiot—!]
[...Hungry—]
Rarely in full agreement, the two partners were thrilled.
Nix smiled slyly at them.
Off-topic, but anyway—Toda was too valuable to discard now.
As said, capable underlings like him weren't easy to find.
Nix quite liked him.
"Keeeng—"
Lost in thought for a moment, Suli whimpered softly in his coils.
Out for a walk with Suli and Rue to meet Toda, but she'd grown uncomfortable.
They had been outside quite a while.
Carefully adjusting Suli in his embrace, he stroked Rue beside his head.
For reference, To Soon-i was home guarding with Snow.
She still found humans too unfamiliar.
A supposed D-rank monster...
Nix tsked softly in pity.
She really needed to be thrown at a suitable opponent sometime.
A desperate life-or-death fight might change something.
It might seem harsh, but no helping it.
That's what being a monster meant.
"Concon!"
[Daddy! What about me? Suli too?]
Hm. Isn't it a bit early for you, Suli?
No, you don't need that at all.
You want to get strong too?
Grow up quick and be like Mommy?
Hmm. I get the sentiment, but...
Still no.
Too dangerous for our Suli.
"Concon—!"
[No fair! I wanna too! Suli fights too!]
Tsk. Whining won't change it.
I allow anything else, but not fighting.
Our Suli just needs to see and hear good things.
If trouble comes later, Daddy will handle it all.
Any scum baring teeth at our Suli will be crushed in one go...
Tsk. Close call.
Almost leaked killing intent in front of Suli.
Just imagining threats to her stirred murderous rage.
Am I a total doting dad now?
No, I'm just cherishing Suli.
Dotting dad is different.
Anyone—even hunters—would melt at Suli's cuteness.
Just natural.
So Suli, no more whining.
I won't allow it no matter what.
See? Rue's behaving.
Be good here too.
Keep it up and no smartphone tonight?
No chicken or pizza that Mommy asked for?
There, there. Good girl, our Suli. Listens well.
He barely soothed her tantrum, but calming her profound disappointment afterward was exhausting.
Was Suli serious, steeling herself?
Maybe his casual dismissal was wrong?
In the end, he reluctantly agreed—with conditions.
First, the opponent must be one he selects.
Second, he or Snow must be nearby.
Third, he'll stop it at any sign of danger.
Fourth...
Too many conditions—Suli smacked his sole mercilessly.
The soft, plump attack soothed his heart.
No, he'd only listed four...
451 more unmentioned.
If these aren't met...
"Shh—"
Rue whimpered softly that it was too much.
Hm... Seemed natural to him.
With Suli and even Rue reacting, he relented a bit.
Skip a few, just 450...
Ultimately, they settled on the first three.
He was compromising a lot.
So Suli, no more smacking.
Feels nice, but time to move.
Snow kept messaging about when the chicken or pizza would arrive.
...Snow seemed to have adapted too well to outside life.
Maybe too well...
At this rate, he'd get an earful the moment he got home.
Better hurry.